U.S. inquiry finds Portland police use excessive force

AP

The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday announced the results of an investigation into the Portland Police Department, saying officers use excessive force against mentally ill people — violations that include frequently discharging stun guns without justification.

The findings were the result of a federal civil rights investigation initiated last summer after a series of police shootings, many involving mentally ill suspects.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez said the Department of Justice and the city have reached a preliminary agreement on reforms, such as increased training, expedited investigations and increased community oversight of the changes.

Perez said the DOJ found that encounters between the Portland Police Bureau and “persons living with mental illness too frequently result in the unnecessary use of force or in a higher level of force than was necessary."